Fishing south sea-islander

Information

Title	Fishing south sea-islander
Date	c. 1850-1875

Signature

Minkoku 民谷

Height

9,7 cm

Object number	SH2025-LP-262
Credit Line	Collection Japan Museum SieboldHuis, donated by Mrs. E.Y. de Koster and Mrs. G. Zellentin, 2025

Description

This figure probably represents an inhabitant of one of the island groups south of Japan. Unlike foreigners from the West or China, these people were regularly depicted barefoot or wearing sandals, with long, straight hair, and often dressed in little more than a loincloth.

This islander has gone fishing, a popular motif in netsuke of this subject. He is holding a spear in his right hand, and a caught fish in his left. An octopus has attached itself to his head.

For further information on the representation of foreigners in carvings, see our collection story: Hollanders in Japanse snijkunst.

The eyes of the octopus and the fish have been inlaid with metal, possibly copper.